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empress_of_the_sun's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mozbolt's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm so happy I found the novelization first. First of all, the design of this book is phenomenal. This hardcover, magically blue book is filled with magical illustrations that reveal more detail the longer you examine them. The pages and font are perfect and the paper used is that soft yet crisp type. Secondly, I absolutely love Cornelia Funke's Inkheart trilogy, and her writing style did not disappoint. While this story is not hers, she brought such emotion to life through her descriptive style. The story itself... full of heartbreak and courage in the face of evil, this is so important right now and I feel like this book found me during the dark times we are in. The vanity and ugliness of fascism is so eerily depicted in this story, making me fear what may be to come in the US. There is violence and protest in this book but endurance despite all odds. I found the magical realism and blurred lines between life and death to beautifully compliment the raw reality of Ofelia's experience at the hands of Videl's cruelty. This book really struck home with me in another way as a new mother, since so much of the story revolves around Ofelia's mother's late pregnancy and the birth of the son who is so valuable to the antagonist. I am experiencing much anxiety and worry about the world my own son is being brought into, as this little boy was born in such turmoil. Finally, the depth of creativity in this story is absolutely astonishing. The "tasks" the faun sets to Ofelia are intricately woven in tandem with her reality, challenging her courage, endurance, and resilience in ways that are ethereally imaginative, starkly real but also warped in the way a child might perceive and cope the trauma happening around them. I felt completely enveloped in this story, more than I have in a book other than faithful re-reads (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Jane Austen), for years. I cannot and will not stop raving about this story and I CANNOT wait to watch the movie.
pricimdeleon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
prettybooksprettyplants's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kadyr's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
_alyssammedina_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A lot darker than I originally thought. A solid tale, can't wait to watch the movie
elena_gabriela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joyceheinen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It does not happen often that I prefer the movie over the book, but in this case I did. But there is a reason for it. “Pan’s Labyrinth” was a movie before it became a novel. Director Guillermo del Toro asked author Cornelia Funke to translate his masterful film to a book. Not for all ages in my opinion, like the synopsis says, but middle-grade or young adult would be more appropriate.
We meet Ofelia, a young girl who loves fairytale stories. Together with her mother Carmen she moves into a house in the woods, with her mother’s new husband Vidal, who Ofelia calls “the Wolf”. Carmen is expecting a baby with Vidal, but Ofelia believes Vidal doesn’t really love her mother and only wants a son to carry on his bloodline. Because Ofelia never feels welcome in her new home, she starts exploring her new ‘neighborhood’. Where she meets Pan, a Faun and the keeper of a secret labyrinth. He believes Ofelia is the long-lost princes Moanna and he gives her task, so she can return to her family. And so a journey begins.
The story is beautifully written and it’s accompanied by amazing illustrations. Because I have already seen the movie, it was easy for me to imagine all the creatures, the surroundings and characters of the book. But I felt like the book was missing something that the movie did have and I cant quite put my finger on it. Even though I still believe this book is fantastic and a wonderfully written tale, I believe the film conveys the right atmosphere to the audience better than the book did.
I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers, this is the type of fantasy that even I love.
We meet Ofelia, a young girl who loves fairytale stories. Together with her mother Carmen she moves into a house in the woods, with her mother’s new husband Vidal, who Ofelia calls “the Wolf”. Carmen is expecting a baby with Vidal, but Ofelia believes Vidal doesn’t really love her mother and only wants a son to carry on his bloodline. Because Ofelia never feels welcome in her new home, she starts exploring her new ‘neighborhood’. Where she meets Pan, a Faun and the keeper of a secret labyrinth. He believes Ofelia is the long-lost princes Moanna and he gives her task, so she can return to her family. And so a journey begins.
The story is beautifully written and it’s accompanied by amazing illustrations. Because I have already seen the movie, it was easy for me to imagine all the creatures, the surroundings and characters of the book. But I felt like the book was missing something that the movie did have and I cant quite put my finger on it. Even though I still believe this book is fantastic and a wonderfully written tale, I believe the film conveys the right atmosphere to the audience better than the book did.
I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers, this is the type of fantasy that even I love.
slowbollard's review against another edition
2.0
I picked this up thinking the book came before the movie and that the book would provide depth that the movie didn't have time to reveal. I didn't realize that this was a novelization. There are a few illustrations, which are fine, but not particularly new or mind blowing. I could have just watched the movie again.
juller's review against another edition
3.0
This dark tale is beautifully told. Rather graphic for middle grades. Gorgeous cover.